Success may mean different things to different people. For one, it might equate to having a fluorishing career. For another, it might be having harmonious relationships with family and friends.
But success is not limited to just one or two areas of life. In fact, there should be a well-rounded balance between eight vital keys to be considered a true success. If just one of them is missing or lacking, your life won't be as fulfilling as it's meant to be.
1) Inner Peace
This is the cornerstone of all the other areas. Everything you do should have inner peace as your primary aim.
No amount of wealth, popularity, power or success can make up for something that is bothering you "from the inside."
Any negative emotion – such as fear, anger, worry, or jealousy – can throw your inner balance off course. So deliberately choose to stay positive – in words, thoughts and actions.
For many people, being spiritual or having faith in God (or a higher power) has done wonders to ease their anxieties and worries, as well as make them feel more in control of their lives.
2) Happy Relationships.
Your happiness (and health) depend greatly on the quality of people in your life and how well you're able to get along with them.
Be around optimistic people and those who share the same values as yours. They will inspire you to feel good and live your dreams. On the other hand, avoid toxic relationships by staying away from negative people.
To get along with people, do your best to be kind and thoughtful at all times. Before you begin your day, ask yourself, "what can I do to make the people around me happy?" You may list down the names of your family members, friends and other people you'll meet that day… then write down at least one way you can make each of them feel great. This little extra effort on your part could pay huge dividends in terms of getting their love, trust, loyalty and respect for a long time to come.
3) Excellent Health.
You can never enjoy life to the fullest if your health is in jeopardy. And being healthy is not complicated either. It's as simple as eating right, exercising, avoiding stress, and getting plenty of sleep and rest.
A not-so-common way to attain great health is to always think and feel good. Whenever a negative image or emotion comes up, immediately say "Erase. Erase. Erase." Then deliberately think of a past experience that makes you feel good. If you can't think of any, then just visualize the perfect outcome of your most important goal or desire.
4) Financial Freedom.
Your financial condition can directly affect your health and relationships. Most people lose sleep and inner peace because they're worried about their debts. People fight over the lack or misuse of money; and relationships suffer greatly even to the point of getting a divorce.
Money, therefore, is as important as good health and relationships. If you'd like to jumpstart your way to financial freedom, I highly recommend you read these articles: 4 Unusual Steps To Attract More Money Into Your Life; 3 Mindblowing Secrets That Can Make You Rich, here, in the archives.
5) Knowledge and Skills
If you're not constantly getting better, you're getting worse. There's no such thing as a one-time improvement. Technology and progress are moving at such a rapid rate, you'll get behind if you don't continuously increase your knowledge and skills.
But don't limit yourself to just your field of interest. In today's modern society, you need to develop your competence in different areas to increase your economic and social value.
In other words, if you're working as a dentist, chemist, architect or as another specialized professional right now, you might want to develop one or more "general" skills that will benefit you in an extensive way.
An example is getting better in sales. All companies need to sell their products or services. Developing your selling skills can also flow over to your relationship and social skills… helping you get along with anyone and be more persuasive.
6) Memorable Experiences
Research shows that experiences make us happier than things. And rightfully so.
Although we become happy when we buy new things, this lasts for a very short time. Before we know it, we're comparing what we have with others' possessions, and this often leads to "wanting more" and never being satisfied.
Experiences, on the other hand, are not easily comparable. Only you (and the people involved) own a particular experience. They leave a lasting impression that stays with you for life.
Here are some ideas of experiences worth having:
- Climb a mountain
- Watch a concert
- Travel to a different country
- Attend your child's performance or event
- Go deep sea diving
- Go sky diving
- Fly in a hot air balloon
- Participate in a marathon or triathlon
- Do something extraordinary to someone that they'll never forget
- Sing, dance or speak in front of an audience
- Learn something new (ex: speak a foreign language, play a musical instrument, etc.)
- Eat something you haven't eaten before.
- Do something you fear!
If you can, share these experiences with your family, friends and loved ones to make them more memorable.
7) Purpose Or Passion
Studies indicate that more people who retire earlier live shorter lives than those who retired in their later years. Why the irony?
One reason could be because those who retired early have lose a sense of purpose or direction in life. They haven't planned or decided what they want to do after they retire, so deep with them, it makes no sense to continue living.
But here's the good news! By having a major purpose in life, knowing exactly what you want, planning and taking steps to achieve your goals, you will not only live a longer life but a much fulfilling one as well.
You must always be striving for some goals. And if you have achieved them, it's important to make new ones. Life becomes more exciting and meaningful if you're aiming for a certain target and anticipating its fruition.
8) Contribution to Mankind
In one of Les Brown's videos, I heard him say that "We should be ashamed to die until we have made some major contribution to humankind." Well said.
We're not meant to live only to satisfy our own desires. We should have a more selfless universal aim to contribute for others' benefit. And it doesn't need to be a one-time shot for your contribution to be considered as "major."
Constant random acts of kindness like helping people in need, volunteering for a worthy case, or donating to your favorite charities will add up over time and be considered as significant.
To live your best life ever, focus on the attainment of the 8 keys above. I know you can do it. I'm rooting for you.